The 2024-25 NFL season has reached the midway point and players are beginning to separate themselves.

Of course, certain defensive players have already established themselves as elite competitors.

The Defensive Player of the Year award has been dominated by players in the trenches that can get to the quarterback. This year might not be any different.

Through the first week of the season, check out the top DPOY candidates to this point.

1. TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Watt is the best defensive player in the league. Case closed. He has finished in the top three of DPOY voting four times with one victory. Watt is two awards shy of his brother, JJ Watt, but he could cut into the deficit more this year. Watt continues to be a terror on the field and makes plays in many different ways.

2. Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Lawrence is getting it done in many ways. He has nine sacks this season and has helped the Giants against the run. Over the last two weeks, Lawrence has not registered a sack and faced a double team all afternoon against the Washington Commanders. His numbers might take a dip over the second half if this continues but Lawrence will be in the mix, especially if he turns in a season with 13 or more sacks.

3. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

CJ Stroud was not the only standout rookie for the Texans last season. Will Anderson Jr. made the front office look like geniuses for moving back into the top three to get him. This year, Anderson has 7.5 sacks to this point and is one of the true game wreckers in the league.

4. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

There was once a holdout between Jones and the Chiefs. Kansas City knew that had to end and it eventually retained one of the best defensive tackles in football. Jones continues to be a menace in the middle and lead a Chiefs’ defense that is seemingly improving each year.